cannabisnews.com: Vote 'Yes' on Medical Marijuana Plan Vote 'Yes' on Medical Marijuana Plan Posted by CN Staff on October 17, 2008 at 06:18:53 PT A Lansing State Journal Editorial Source: Lansing State Journal Michigan -- Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot would create a law authorizing the use of medical marijuana for ill citizens, with a doctor's approval. Proponents and opponents have laid out their case before the LSJ Editorial Board. While both sides have holes in their arguments, the debate goes to the pro side. The LSJ endorses Proposal 1. The best line deployed by the pro-medical marijuana camp is they want to "protect patients from prosecution." In Michigan, and in the scattering of states that already have medical marijuana laws, there are people who claim that smoking marijuana provides relief. Usually this benefit is described as a reduction in nausea or an increase in appetite.These people report that they do not find such relief from other drugs, including marinol, which is a pill carrying THC, a compound found in marijuana.The medical establishment, such as the Michigan State Medical Society, rejects those claims. And that's long been part of the problem on this issue: Thanks to the government's "war on drugs," there's been far too little research done on marijuana's medicinal effects.A best-case scenario would have been a full-scale research effort leading to the identification and availability of substances that aid patients. But the law enforcement/drug war crowd has kept that option off the table.This intransigence (and it's notable that the coalition of groups formed against Prop 1 is heavy on law enforcement groups) forces voters to make an imperfect choice.The anti-Prop 1 forces only worsen the situation for voters by their focus on scare tactics. Prop 1, they say, will make it easy for kids to get drugs. That's a potent argument against a full-blown adult legalization measure.But that's not on the ballot this year. Prop 1 involves an identifiable group of medical patients acting in concert with their licensed physicians. The opposition rhetoric is over the top and, thereby, ineffective.Prop 1 proponents, though, have their own work to do.An April 1 editorial approving of a statewide vote also noted, "(Prop 1) doesn't even speak to the point of where sufferers allowed to use marijuana would actually obtain it. ... If Michigan voters are going to approve this measure, they deserve to have a good idea of how it's going to work."Unfortunately, it's October and it still isn't clear how patients would first legally obtain the seeds or plants for their personal use.That's disappointing, though not enough to lead voters to reject this measure. Vote "yes" on Proposal 1.Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)Published: October 17, 2008Copyright: 2008 Lansing State JournalWebsite: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uc45fODdRelated Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ Manistee Doctor Supporting Marijuana Initiativehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24229.shtml It's Immoral To Not Vote 'Yes' on Onehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24225.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by afterburner on October 17, 2008 at 14:30:18 PT No Problemo "Unfortunately, it's October and it still isn't clear how patients would first legally obtain the seeds or plants for their personal use."We have legal medical cannabis seeds in Canada. We'd be glad to send some to qualified medical cannabis patients in Michigan (if the US federal government would allow it). [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 17, 2008 at 06:58:45 PT Supreme Court Denies Review of Medical Pot Law http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/17/BAES13JAPT.DTL [ Post Comment ] Post Comment